Vintage jeweler's hubs from a jewelry company that was in operation from the 1920's through the 1960's in Providence, Rhode Island displayed for sale at Rejuvenation in Berkeley, Calif., on Monday, July 23, 2012.

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Vintage jeweler's hubs from a jewelry company that was in operation...

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Rugs are displayed at Emmett Eiland's Oriental Rug Company in Berkeley, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. The store is part of west Berkeley's Design Loop collective of home decor retailers.

Unique used furniture is sold at Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley, Calif....

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Johnelle Mancha, owner of Mignonne Home Design in Berkeley, Calif, has a chair in the fabric workshop at her store that is upholstered with her old, paint-stained jeans. It is seen here on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Mancha has crafted a shop where she can reinvent furniture pieces from vintage finds.

While San Francisco's exclusive Design District is home to some of the nation's premier decor showrooms catering to the interior design trade, West Berkeley has become a shopping corridor for homeowners seeking a more do-it-yourself approach to renovations and decorating.

We'll introduce you to dozens of retailers and home-improvement specialists in the corridor. Check out the map and browse the merchants on the pages that follow, then plan your visit. Business hours vary, so call or check websites.

Within the area between San Pablo Avenue and Interstate 80, from Ashby Avenue to just a few blocks past Gilman Street, are dozens of independent merchants that can help a homeowner either build, remodel or decorate a house from the ground up.

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Operating on the assumption that no question is too basic, businesses like the Wooden Duck, Ohmega Salvage and Ashby Lumber have provided advice to homeowners for decades.

In July, the West Berkeley Design Loop ( www.westberkeleydesignloop.org), was formed to aid in marketing and outreach. "Our hope is that with the expansion of the Loop, new businesses will want to move in to the area and participate," says Loop chair and Metro Lighting owner Lawrence Grown. "The long-range goal is to incorporate restaurants, architects and artisans into the Loop's mission of using local resources."

Plan a day in and around the Loop using the map and browsing the shops on the pages that follow. (Loop members are highlighted in the list below).

Books/ education

1. Builders Booksource: Resources related to building and architecture can be found here, including current titles on California residential building codes. The staff provides a wealth of information and will help you narrow down the right book or resource for your needs. Events and classes are offered throughout the year. 1817 Fourth St. (510) 845-6874. www.buildersbooksource.com.

2. Ecohome Improvement: Eight years after executing her MBA business plan, Taja Di Leonardi and her business partner Nina Boeddeker are still promoting and selling ecological and healthy home products, including paint and stains, flooring, cabinetry and countertops. While other similar businesses have closed, Ecohome is the only remaining green home building store in the Bay Area. "It really is a testament to the area that Berkeley can support a green building store," says Di Leonardi. The shop can help you see a project from conception and design to installation. An in-house Design Bar offers advice and a loaner library is on site. Design services are available for kitchens and bathrooms. 2619 San Pablo Ave. (510) 644-3500. www.ecohomeimprovement.com.

3. Ecology Center: This nonprofit is an educational space, sustainable living store, and resource for recycling and urban living. 2530 San Pablo Ave. (510) 548-2220. www.ecologycenter.org.

Salvage

4. Ohmega Salvage: This salvage mecca is split among three buildings: the original store, an expanded location across the street and its newest storefront, named the Ohmega General Store. Kristine Davis owns the store and operates it with a dedicated staff that knows every corner of each location, often helping homeowners restore a home to its original period glory. Arrive with an open mind and let your creativity guide you. Besides larger items like furniture, bathroom fixtures, building materials, ironwork and artifacts, there are smaller items like keyhole covers and all types of knobs. 2407 San Pablo Ave. (510) 843-7368. www.ohmegasalvage.com.

5. Urban Ore: A thrifter's dream, Urban Ore sells everything from salvaged building materials to housewares and rare books. Accepts donations, but check the website first for current restrictions. 900 Murray St. (510) 841-7283. www.urbanore.com.

Design/fabricators

6. Joshua Tree: A furniture and cabinet design space, Joshua Tree also showcases other fabricators in its artisans' showroom. 1802 Second St. (510) 666-1030. www.joshuatreefurniture.com.

7. Mignonne Decor: Custom upholstered and revamped/redesigned vintage furniture are some of the treasures you will find at Johnelle Mancha's shop. The bottom floor of this two-story space showcases Mancha's furniture while the upstairs loft is where the fabric swatches are kept. Mancha and her team are up for even the most eclectic collaboration using either their fabric and textiles or your own. Interior design services are also available. 2447 San Pablo Ave. (510) 388-5830. www.mignonnedecor.com.

Glass/stained glass

8. Stained Glass Garden: Celebrating 38 years on Fourth Street, owner Joan McLean's shop is part glass retailer, part artist emporium and part stained-glass workshop. General manager Julie Orchard has been running the shop for McLean for five years and has seen it shift to a more community-focused place where local glass artists are featured on a monthly basis and supported through a consignment gallery within the shop. Many owners of the area's period homes turn to Stained Glass Garden for repairs and restoration, and the store's popular classes offer students the opportunity to learn stained, mosaic and fused-glass techniques. 1800 Fourth St. (510) 841-2200. www.stainedglassgarden.com.

9. Wilson Glass: This family business specializes in creative bathroom glass enclosures for the shower among other custom glass projects like deck railings and wind screens. 1035 Murray St. (510) 843-3334. www.wilsonglass.com.

Garden

10. A & G Home and Garden: Outdoor pots, fountains, birdbaths and other stone garden features are available in a variety of styles. Delivery and fountain set up available. 725 Gilman St. (510) 558-8165. www.aghomegarden.com.

13. East Bay Nursery: Look for a great selection of bare-root fruit trees, roses and organic vegetable starts at this large, full-service nursery catering to the East Bay's climate. 2332 San Pablo Ave. (510) 845-6490. www.eastbaynursery.com.

Fixtures

23. Rejuvenation: What started as an independent vintage housewares and house parts store in Portland, Ore., more than 30 years ago has become the country's largest manufacturer of period lighting and house parts. Even with the brand's sale to Williams-Sonoma in 2011, it has stayed true to its roots and offers several eras' worth of lighting, hardware and fixtures for the bathroom and kitchen in addition to original vintage finds and furniture. 1717-D Fourth St. (510) 423-9309. www.rejuvenation.com.

24. Sink Factory: A go-to for vintage and antique sinks, tubs, basins and fixtures, the Sink Factory is also a source for hard-to-find replacement parts. 2140 San Pablo Ave. (510) 540-8193. www.sinkfactory.com.

17. Ashby Lumber: Family owned since 1888, this retail lumberyard and plumbing showroom continues to serve the area's contractors and public with lumber and hardware needs. 824 Ashby Ave. (510) 843-4832. www.ashbylumber.com.

18. MacBeath Hardwood: This hardwood emporium offers the widest selection of hardwoods in the United States. Its selection of domestic and imported wood is unmatched, and each of their four locations, including one in the South Bay, boasts a milling facility. Staff can help with moulding, butcher-block countertops and other wood projects. 930 Ashby Ave. (510) 843-4390. www.macbeath.com.

19. Truitt and White Lumber Co.: Independently owned building supply warehouse, specializing in windows and doors, and green building materials. The knowledgeable staff is a great source of information. 642 Hearst Ave. (510) 841-0511. www.truittandwhite.com.

20. The Woodbank: The Woodbank is a good source for not only sustainable lumber, but also decorative cuts like live-edge pieces, made famous by artist George Nakashima. In business a little more than a year, the Woodbank carries 40 species of hardwood lumber from all over the world - species that can't be found at a big-box retailer. "Twice a year I travel to Guatemala and Belize to ensure that our lumber is coming from reputable sources," says President Jeff Nelson. "We only carry lumber that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council." Appealing to the homeowner and wood geek, the vast warehouse's interior is neatly organized for easy viewing and staffed with a friendly sales crew. A milling service for small jobs and workshops geared toward the homeowner are in the works. 772 Gilman St. (510) 982-0698. www.thewoodbank.com.

Rugs/carpet

25. Claremont Rug Company II: This second location offers vintage-level oriental rugs at lower price points than the art-level antique rugs for which the company is known. 1813 Fourth St., Berkeley. (510) 883-1300. www.claremontrug.com.

26. Emmett Eiland's Oriental Rug Co.: For 45 years, Emmett Eiland built a destination for oriental rug fans. Considered authorities on Oriental rugs, Eiland and manager Richard Pratt have cultivated the business with the premise that, according to Pratt, the location is a place to learn about oriental rugs, not just a shopping destination. "We prefer people take them home and make sure they work." 1326 Ninth St. (510) 526-1087. www.internetrugs.com.

Furnishings/Accessories

27. Bay Home Consignment Furniture: Scores of vintage and period finds are packed into this consignment showroom with pickup and delivery services available. 1825 Eastshore Hwy. (510) 647-5042. www.bayhomeconsignment.com.

28. Berkeley Mills: Be prepared to invest in quality furniture and cabinetry that will probably outlive everything else you own. Founded in 1988 by Gene Agress, Berkeley Mills has expanded to its current 27,000-square-foot location that houses a showroom and milling and joinery facility. In addition to vignettes of bedroom, office, living and dining furniture, the showroom also offers three different kitchens setups. Though the company's foundation was built on leaders of the Arts and Crafts movement, the heart of the business is crafting wood, and it will create anything you don't see. 2830 Seventh St. (510) 549-2854. www.berkeleymills.com.

30. Earthsake: As the first manufacturer of organic mattresses in the country, Earthsake has steadily grown a natural and eco-friendly bedding and bath customer base for the last 24 years. It continues to use locally sourced wool and organic cotton for much of its products and is expanding the line of organic cotton bedding and towels to include different thread counts and colors. Though it has an online store, this flagship location still draws people from all over the country looking for healthy and natural fiber bath and bedding products. Owner Eric Gahan worked at the store before he and his wife purchased it eight years ago. Now with three children, they've expanded their children's bedding, furniture and toy selection. 1772 Fourth St. (510) 559-8440. www.earthsake.com.

32. Ethnic Arts: Ethnic accent pieces for the home including African masks, metal shrine figures, and textiles from India and China. Whimsical David Marsh furniture can also be found here. 2236 San Pablo Ave. (510) 527-5270. www.ethnicarts.com.

33. Fenton MacLaren Home Furnishings: Though this family-run furniture store sells solid-wood furniture and upholstered items for the home in a variety of styles, it also sells unfinished furniture including a wide selection of bookcases. They can also customize a piece to fit your space. Look for a few samples and closeout items as well. 1442 San Pablo Ave. (510) 524-1580. www.fentonmaclaren.com.

39. R. Kassman: Fine pianos for home as well as designer and custom pianos and concert grands. 843 Gilman St. (510) 558-0765. www.rkassman.com.

40. Vintage European Posters: Vintage advertising and propaganda art posters from the late 1800s through the 1980s are available at this gallery. Archival mounting and custom archival framing available; or take home posters as is. 2201 Fourth St. (510) 843-2201. www.vepca.com.

41. The Wooden Duck: Only using 100 percent recycled solid wood, the Wooden Duck has been manufacturing reclaimed wood furniture for the home for 19 years. 1823 Eastshore Hwy. (510) 848-3575. www.thewoodenduck.com.

Lighting

42. Berkeley Lighting: The large inventory of American and European indoor and outdoor lighting includes track lighting and incandescent and halogen fixtures.1623 San Pablo Ave. (510) 524-1782. www.berkeleylighting.net.

43. Metro Lighting: Husband and wife Lawrence Grown and Christa Rybczynski merged their architecture backgrounds and interest in the Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement and opened Metro Lighting 20 years ago. Shoppers will find a variety of in-house designed and fabricated lighting fixtures from small lamps and sconces to ceiling fans and exterior lighting. 2240 San Pablo Ave. (510) 540-0509. www.metrolighting.com.

46. Import Tile Co.: Tile and natural stone flooring and countertop options abound at this popular shop. Owner Bill de Carion has been a Berkeley resident for almost half a century and his business, which he opened in 1978, supports Berkeley's ethos of being sustainably focused. Though the majority of materials are imported, there is a selection of locally and domestically manufactured and sourced stone. Look for a wide selection of granite, marble, slate, mosaic and porcelain tiles. 611 Hearst Ave. (888) 843-5959. www.importtile.com.

47. Tileshop: Look for a large selection of environmentally friendly tile including international brands that carry the Eco Label and GBC Italy certification. 1005 Harrison St. (510) 525-4312. www.tile-shop.com.